Why snipe at me? My goodness, I was NOT self-appointed. I was appointed by the Friends Board with an unanimous vote. I’m sorry if you don’t agree with the direction of positive dialog. I completely understand what has occurred on both sides of the issue. But to me, it doesn’t matter anymore. I want to take this to a new level of cooperation and I’m not naive to think that EVERYONE will buy into it. I’m just hoping MOST people will.
Now, you did just reminded me of one thing with your post a few up. Ms. Schoff said she petitioned the Board to save Theatre artifacts and the fascade. One of the three bids for demolition is set up to do just that. During the September 1 board meeting, Tross in particular said “no” to saving anything. Apparently someone heard what Ms. Schoff had to say and made that one of the requirements for bidding out demolition. The Friends didn’t do that. The Board wasn’t listening to us. So I give credit where credit is due. Maybe if Ms. Schoff and some of her neighbors were to sit down with us and discuss their concerns and ideas for the theatre, maybe it would help us find a solution —– together —– that the Board could allow.
We’d love to have you on board, too, Dude, but you gotta do what you gotta do…
Again, I’m happy to have your support and ideas. It’s just that we’ve all been hard on one another. Let’s get past the rhetoric and try to form some sort of truce. On this board, especially, where there are preservationists who can help us with some ideas.
Really, let’s turn the corner and try not to antagonize anymore. Does it really make you feel better, duper, to say these things to Challenger or anyone else? Challenger, I challenge you to be more constructive and ignore posters when they are being antagonizing. Remember the whole “sticks and stones” thing.
Since I’ve been a part of the Friends, I have asked our group not to engage on this or other sites unless they were saying something constructive. As communications director, I have been trying to communicate and answer questions posed. I feel though that sometimes I was ridiculed no matter what I said. And that was a waste of time for me. But it also helps me understand why the temperature of the discussion has risen so high. Personal attacks like the ones we’ve seen here make it personal—-not about the theatre. However, if we can get back on track and try to solve some real problems, I think that would be a great thing. Come on duper, we need to look forward from here on out.
All I really want to do is turn the dialog in a more positive direction. There will always be people that won’t agree with any tactic, but I think that again, if we do get the six-month stay, it will be an important time for this community. Some people never thought the board would actually go as far as they have. It has opened people’s eyes to what could actually be lost. Once it’s lost, we can’t get it back and we will have regrets. One regret I think we’d have is that we didn’t have the opportunity to come together as a community about it. The way the Village had set the ground rules around the theatre was that it asked the Foundation to come up with a plan that the board would vote on. The Foundation did that. The Foundation was focused on finding a plan that would pay for itself without raising property taxes—-the RSC plan. The Foundation never had time to go out into the community and rally support. And the village never thought that was an important step, either. The reason I think the community involvement is important is because the Theatre was a GIFT to the community. That’s another reason I think it’s wrong to bulldoze it. We, as a community, never really got a say (I know you’ll bring up the prior attempt at referendum, but supporters of it have said it was a slanted-against-the-theatre question). And again, things on all sides happened so quickly.
I know people wonder why the Friends haven’t put this to referendum. If we did, it would be non-binding. But I wonder why the Board voted against a BINDING referendum as well. If the Board thought the support WASN’T there, they wouldn’t have anything to worry about. But they voted it down, so they must realize people don’t want the building gone. That’s my opinion, anyway.
Again, I would look forward to having a productive and constructive conversation regarding the theatre, and how this gift could best serve the community it was given to.
Please don’t twist my words. What I’ve been reading on this site and the other is how you want: mixed business, retail and residential. Parking. What many people don’t understand is that that’s what the RSC plan entailed. Most people who opposed it didn’t want the condos to be 5 stories. I wasn’t an official “Friend” when the RSC plan was presented, but I liked what I heard. I was actually excited, the village was going to go in this dynamic direction.
The trouble is the details were still being refined when the board changed and Sebby did his damage. It happened so fast. And yes, I felt betrayed by my trustee. We were angry that all the hard work we’d done had been thrown in the garbage…just like that. And throwing the grant money away. I still think that was outrageous. But we’re not angry anymore. We’re more committed than ever to save this building.
I’m still very committed to the DuPage Theatre becoming an Arts and Cultural center because I believe that is how it will best serve the community. Again, it was a gift to the village. That’s why the idea for a Cultural Center was born. Cultural centers all over are doing very well. Even the trustees who oppose the DuPage say we need one. And so I stand behind that idea. But maybe some people have different ideas of what would benefit them. And it doesn’t hurt to listen. I’m open to a better idea if someone has one if it serves the needs of the community with the spirit that Big Idea intended AND saves the Theatre.
Everyone on this board and the other is angry. We need to tone it down so that we can get to a rational place and talk about the issues. The Friends want a restored theatre, plain and simple. How do we get there with all the name calling going on? LD4 may not want to go down this road, but if Marissa does and some other folks do, then it is definitely worth a try. I say we have a “town meeting” and get this all out in the open. Let people talk about what’s best for the downtown. I agree with duper supporter that Yorktown is not downtown. I was at Yorktown yesterday and it’s not smooth sailing over there either. Some businesses don’t know if their leases are going to be renewed. And because of it, they’re selling off all their inventory. Management isn’t calling them back. They can’t prepare for the holidays. They’re pretty upset. But I digress…
I live just blocks from downtown, and I’d like to be able to really use it. I work from home, am raising my kids at home and we walk around all the time. We just don’t always have a place to go. That’s one reason why this building is so important to me. It’s a destination. I don’t want to walk past a major parking garage. That’s an awful thought to me. If we need one so bad, why don’t we build it on the property where the Silos used to stand. Does everyone remember how important it was to rip those down at the taxpayers expense? How nothing happened for MANY years on that property? How one deal after another fell through? And what do we have there now? A parking lot. That’s another reason why I don’t think the Village should 1) tear down the theatre without another plan for all to see 2) use my tax dollars to do the teardown. If a developer wants the property so bad, that developer should be responsible for all the costs associated with the property—-not me, as there will be no gain for the residents. But again, I digress…
And LD4, the Rita you refer to is a very fine woman. I’m pleased to know her. Her dedication on the Historical Commission for almost 30 years shows a commitment to doing good works in the community. Your remarks are uncalled for. She doesn’t visit this site, but I would ask that you would apologize to her, and to all the other people you’ve completely disrespected. Especially with your comment about Mr. Carroll and Mr. Devitt. That was by far the worst thing I’ve seen written anywhere. I’m sure even Challenger and Marissa would agree with me on that one.
duper supporter, I see many things going on here. But continually confronting and name calling is not doing anyone any good.
Marisa, sorry if you thought I’ve been tough on you. I just wanted to call you out, and here you are. I would appreciate opening a dialog. But I don’t think we need to start off by saying “no” to any options. Maybe an Arts and Cultural Center could still work. Maybe a community center. Maybe many things—-things that would benefit all the residents of this village. That was the point of the gift in the first place. But we have to start somewhere, and I think dialing our emotions down a notch is a good thing. Then we’ll be able to come to the table and discuss things in a more positive light.
By the way, if the Village would adhere to their ordinance, their own law, and allow for the six-month stay, the suit would be over. It was their choice to break their own law. I feel it is up to us, as citizens, to make sure our elected officials uphold the laws they’re sworn to uphold. Don’t you agree? You’ve been very adamant about RSC and variances. If you ask me, it’s the same thing with the six-month ordinance…
Rita, yes, his wife quit as well, and after many long hours of hard work and service as secretary and other important roles. She has a little one at home and other priorities at this time. Mr. Devitt personally emailed me about his resignation. I don’t think I need to discuss this further. Mr. Devitt’s reputation has been battered about enough, if you ask me. If I’ve had enough of seeing him maligned, I’m sure he has as well.
Going door-to-door at the time it was mentioned was, in fact, untimely for a multitude of reasons. But I’m not going to rehash old strategy. It’s time to look forward. Again, is anyone willing to join forces?
Fellow preservationists, let’s chat about some success stories that might fit the bill for the DuPage Theatre.
Five years is a long time. Two ad hoc committees and the Foundation were all asked to get different information to the Village Board. Each group did what they were ASKED to do. Now the story is different. We can actually think outside the box to find a solution. So let’s try and do that. Together!
It’s easy to criticize the efforts of others when you haven’t stood in their shoes. It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and play Monday Morning Quarterback. It takes a bit more investment to actually come forward and show some dedication to a cause and try to find a way to make it work.
This is not pennance. Trying to save the theatre is nothing to be sorry for. Come on out, Dupe! Let’s have a real sit down with those concerned residents who post here and see what great things we can accomplish together!
A few months back Jim Devitt left the company of the Friends of his own accord. It was a decision he made and we accepted.
I wish that all of us on this site would take a deep breath. duper supporter, although I’m not sure if you are Mr. Devitt, I am thankful for your support. But Dupe neighbor is right that it doesn’t help to inflame this issue. We are, after all, neighbors. What I ask is that, if the judge does grant us a six-month stay—-and a precious opportunity of second chances—we could all come to the table and formulate a plan to save the theatre that maybe would compel the Village Board to take another look at the situation. Showing that opposite sides could come together and make a positive difference in the community. That other communities would look to for inspiration when they found themselves in a similar situation.
Again, let’s think about this as a proactive and constructive manner. Let’s put an end to the name calling.
Stop. This isn’t getting anywhere. This is the reason why I’ve stopped posting. I’m not going to change your mind, and Challenger, et. al, you won’t change mine.
My focus, as is the Friends focus, is still on saving the Theatre. We’ve gone to court to ask a judge to grant a six-month stay of demolition. In the meantime, we’re looking for other viable alternatives for the theatre. It’s not all or nothing, I don’t think it ever was.
If you are interested in saving the theatre, then come together with us and look at some alternatives that will save it. We were pursuing plans that we were directed to by the village before the elections. After the elections, we found ourselves in a different game. What plan could possibly make the most people happy and save the theatre for my children to enjoy—-as an important piece of village history?
Look around here. There’s not much left to save. Yes, the Main Street Chapel. Yes, Lilacia Park. Yes the 2 museums. But there are only a few other business buildings left on St. Charles and that’s it. Why can’t this building be saved? Why can’t cooler heads prevail? Why can’t we stop bickering on this site and try to have a more constructive dialog? As far as I’m concerned, we’re back at square one. The judge did not throw us out of court, which he could have done twice by now. The National Trust and Landmarks Preservation Council believes in the Friends and in our wish to save the building—-and they’ve proved it by entering our lawsuit. In six months, many positive things can happen. And our community may be allowed to heal with the building still standing.
I know that will NOT happen if that building goes down.
$300,000 provides a plot twist
State grant restored for DuPage Theatre
By Lyn Niemann
Special to the Tribune
Published September 30, 2005
While a judge in DuPage Circuit Court reviews whether to grant a six-month stay for the DuPage Theatre, the theater foundation received word last week that a $300,000 state grant has been reinstated through a technicality.
But although it appeared the money would be available for another year, the funding may not be available because the village already rejected it.
The Lombard Village Board formally rejected the “Save America’s Treasures” grant, along with a federal grant, on Sept. 1. But the DuPage Theatre Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to saving the theatre, said the village never had the authority to reject the state grant.
“When the Village Board took a vote to reject the funds one of the things that struck me was that they didn’t have the authority to do that since the DuPage Theatre Foundation applied for the grant,” said Martin Carroll, chairman of the DuPage Theatre Foundation.
Carroll said a representative at the U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed that and sent a letter on Sept. 21 to Village Manager William Lichter.
Carroll said the letter read: “Only the grantee, the DuPage Theatre Foundation, can request cancellation of or refuse the grant.”
“So, the money’s been reinstated,” Carroll said.
And with news this week that Gov. Rod Blagojevich is releasing $195 million in Illinois FIRST funds, of which $1 million was earmarked for the DuPage Theatre restoration, it seemed to supporters they had overcome the biggest hurdle in saving the theater.
However, the village is no longer on the list of Illinois FIRST recipients.
“All the projects on the list have executed grant agreements, and this project does not,” Andrew Ross, spokesman for the governor, said when asked if the theater’s absence on the list was because the village had previously rejected the funds.
“I think it’s tragic,” said Deb Dynako, communications director for the Friends of the DuPage Theatre, another non-profit group dedicated to saving the theater.
“It makes us infamous because no one’s ever rejected the funds before. And the rush to demolish has been quite a travesty to this whole village. That’s why pursuing the six-month stay is so important. Two weeks ago the village rejected the funds. And two weeks later, they became available.”
Village Trustee Richard Tross, a former theater supporter, is one of several trustees who think there are issues involved other than money.
“I’m not going to rehash history,” Tross said. “In five years' time, neither a viable development nor combined partnership could be found. It is tim
e that the final curtain be called.”
Challenger, I never said EVERYTHING we’ve ever done has been a success. I just mentioned two successes along the way, although we have had others. Obviously, we’re dealing with four men on a Board that don’t want this building standing. Look, a lot has happened since Memorial Day weekend when Sebby’s resolution came to light. There was no warning. The RSC plan was under staff review, the $15,000 was just approved for a lobbyist—-why would we suspect?
And so now, we’re the ones being demonized by you? It doesn’t make any sense. Challenger, if you’ve ever committed to anything you believed in, and you did it in good faith, how would you feel if you were, ultimately, betrayed? I feel betrayed, anyway. I know many others do as well…
The only downfall to all of this is losing a building I care about. That didn’t happen because of my actions. The blame can only be placed on those four trustees. They are the ones who took the vote. They are the ones who will demolish the building. Not me.
Challenger, I never said EVERYTHING we’ve ever done has been a success. I just mentioned two successes along the way, although we have had others. Obviously, we’re dealing with four men on a Board that don’t want this building standing. Look, a lot has happened since Memorial Day weekend when Sebby’s resolution came to light. There was no warning. The RSC plan was under staff review, the $15,000 was just approved for a lobbyist—-why would we suspect?
And so now, we’re the ones being demonized by you? It doesn’t make any sense. Challenger, if you’ve ever committed to anything you believed in, and you did it in good faith, how would you feel if you were, ultimately, betrayed? I feel betrayed, anyway. I know many others do as well…
The only downfall to all of this is losing a building I care about. That didn’t happen because of my actions. The blame can only be placed on those four trustees. They are the ones who took the vote. They are the ones who will demolish the building. Not me.
Hello, Challenger. I’m back, I told you I had been busy…
Let’s set the record straight about the signs since they keep being brought up. The Friends printed 1000 signs. The 1000 signs were mostly distributed prior to the April 27th Board Meeting. That was the 750 figure that was originally spoken of. After that meeting, more people called or email to get signs. Those were distributed. The rest of the signs were given out at the rally. We were left with empty boxes that used to hold 1000 signs. That’s one way we knew 1000 signs were delivered. The other way was that we kept a list of who wanted signs. We still have that list. End of story. If there aren’t 1000 signs still on lawns, I’m not surprised. They’ve been out since APRIL!!! There have also been stolen and vandalized signs. My own included. Some of those stolen signs turned up in a field, were collected and were redistributed. The current sign in front of my home is one of those.
Another thing. It took only 20 people at a rally in Chicago to save Cook County hospital. Since you love percentages, do the math on that one. I planned the rally. We did it in 5 days—-a feat we were told had never been pulled off. The fact that 200 people came on a hot Saturday night without much notice was INCREDIBLE! Many of the historic agencies said that our turnout was excellent, that people rarely like to show up to rallies.
The Daily Herald photographer only came at the very beginning of the rally when we were still actually setting up! Call him—-I actually spoke with him when he showed up. Not sure when you snaked through, but I personally bumped into a couple “spies” and they knew I knew who they were. One was even slyly taking pictures. I asked him who he was, and he claimed “photography student.” But he wasn’t and he knew I didn’t believe him. What photography student would be taking photos from a digital camera hanging around his neck at chest level? But I didn’t care about the fact that he was there, either! Were you one of these “undercover” operatives, Challenger? You guys were obviously worried about the turnout. And I’m sorry you feel otherwise about the signatures we gathered there. It was just over 200, and I still have them. On most of the pages we marked when and where the petitions were collected—-just so we’d have the documentation if anyone ever wanted to know. We have never operated in the shadows, Challenger. That’s what your side likes to do.
Brian, I’m sorry for the bickering. It’s not right to do on this site, and I’m sorry to all who have been offended by it. We do not engage them on their site, and so they come here.
All we are trying to do is save the building at this point. I don’t think anyone thought the Board would vote the way it has. It is sad to most people in our community. To me, this is not about a plan, personalities or who can win. This is about a building I love, that I grew up with, and that I want saved.
If the trustees were going to save any part of the main building, then they shouldn’t have rejected the Save America’s Treasures grant. Because if they kept any part of the building standing, they could have used it to restore whatever they decided to keep. But since they cut out the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and were too obtuse to allow them to negotiate out of the normal terms of the grant, the grant is now gone. If you ask me that is egotistical and petty.
Challenger, you’ve got a strange fascination with numbers—-and so far all of them are wrong.
Now, I’ll be signing off for a few days. But I’ll miss ya when I’m gone…
DebDupe, I think you finally outed yourself. You sound just like Marisa Schoff who got her letter to the editor printed in our local “tabloid.” You spout nothing but angry loathing. Name calling? You guys are the best at it. And it actually sounds like you want the building saved, you just don’t like the people trying to save it.
I am not on a high horse. And I repeat that the only people to be blamed for the wrecking ball are the four trustees—-Sebby, Tross, O'Brien and Soderstrom who voted in favor of it. Tross wants absolutely nothing saved. Now that’s a HIGH HORSE!
Who’s “crying and whining?” We want the theatre. We get up and speak on the theatre’s behalf every meeting. We’ve shown that we are dedicated to the cause of preserving this building. It takes a lot of time, effort and character to stand up for what you believe in. What have you done besides hide behind your alias and snipe on this and your own website?
If the theatre is yours, and I agree that it is, then you should want it saved, for anything else that goes in its place will not be yours—-unless the library referendum passes, a snowballs chance in the down-below.
I don’t go to your other site “often.” I don’t have that kind of time to waste. I just wanted to know if anything you say here reflects what you say there. And it doesn’t. It would be interesting if you proposed your new “plan” on that site and see the reaction you got from your fellow “bloodlusters.” Nothing said on that site has ever been nice with regards to the theatre. And so my dear, Challenger, hang up your half-witted prose on this site, and go back to the folks who are so proud of you.
The date with the wrecking ball had nothing to do with the work of the Friends and everything to do with Steve Sebby’s resolution to demolish, followed by Dick Tross, “Jack” O'Brien and Rick Soderstrom’s vote to carry out the travesity.
Challenger, I’ve just read your other site, and there you’re not the guy you’re portraying yourself to be on this site. You ARE gloating. My impression of you now is that you’re the type of guy who loves blood sport, but then shows a tinge of remorse when someone actually dies. “Oh, that’s too bad. He should have blocked that sucker punch…”
You still make me giggle with your “knowledge” of the “facts.”
Why don’t you head the new team to save the DuPage. You and your buddy Biddle! He has Sebby’s ear. Maybe he can reason with him. There are four other historic buildings in this town slated to be demolished, maybe you can help him have a change of heart on those, too.
You say you don’t want to show yourself in public for “fear” of getting “trashed.” Look at all the nefarious things you’ve said about people who have in good faith, tried to save this building? The Friends took the direction the Village prescribed and did what they were asked. And when those criteria were met, the goalposts were moved back. It’s not that we’re a bad team, it’s just that we’ve been playing on unlevel ground. I take your words against our efforts as an affront to preservation of this building. And, your donation of buying a glass of lemonade so long ago does NOT make you a supporter.
Egotists? Not me nor mine. Again, it’s so easy to snipe at people from behind aliases. At least Bob DiFino stood up (although I don’t agree with his statistics—-using 44,000 as a population number but saying kids didn’t have the right to sign the petition!) Be a man and make your recommendations to the board this Thursday for all to see!
BTW, I haven’t made any threats against anyone. Or name called—-although, you HAVE! :) If your political representative is not doing the job you’d like him to do, you find a replacement (we just saw this happen with the FEMA director). People in politics know that if they don’t do the people’s will, there will be repercussions. That’s a political reality, not a threat. If the trustees that made the demolition vote think that that was a good move politically, then I guess we’ll just have to see what happens in the next election.
Please Challenger, you’re not really involved in this process, so since you’ve “won” why don’t you stop haunting this site and go back to your own.
Been too busy to squak at you, but see you’re still enjoying yourself on this site. Melders has been holding to my position quite well, thank you. As are all the other preservationists on this site. But just as it doesn’t pay to speak to the four trustees—-using nice words or calling them out on the mistruths they’ve spun for public consumption—-it wastes my time jousting with you. If a public official gets a bit hot for hearing the truth from one of his constituents, yes me, then he shouldn’t hold the seat. The decision these four trustees have made is one that they should be ashamed of. But they’re not. They threw a lot of money away, but they don’t care. They blacklisted the town of Lombard, and made many residents angry. Wait until they see what a bulldozer does to their political careers…
Now Challenger, you may have to fill your day with negative postings. But I don’t. Got more important stuff to do right now.
Been too busy to squak at you, but see you’re still enjoying yourself on this site. Melders has been holding to my position quite well, thank you. As are all the other preservationists on this site. But just as it doesn’t pay to speak to the four trustees—-using nice words or calling them out on the mistruths they’ve spun for public consumption—-it wastes my time jousting with you. If a public official gets a bit hot for hearing the truth from one of his constituents, yes me, then he shouldn’t hold the seat. The decision these four trustees have made is one that they should be ashamed of. But they’re not. They threw a lot of money away, but they don’t care. They blacklisted the town of Lombard, and made many residents angry. Wait until they see what a bulldozer does to their political careers…
Now Challenger, you may have to fill your day with negative postings. But I don’t. Got more important stuff to do right now.
DuPage Dude, contact me at and we can talk off board if you’d like.
Challenger, nothing you’ve ever said has been truthful as far as I can tell. You have no credibility on this board. It’s easy to throw mud all day long when you’re standing in the shadows.
Dude,
Why snipe at me? My goodness, I was NOT self-appointed. I was appointed by the Friends Board with an unanimous vote. I’m sorry if you don’t agree with the direction of positive dialog. I completely understand what has occurred on both sides of the issue. But to me, it doesn’t matter anymore. I want to take this to a new level of cooperation and I’m not naive to think that EVERYONE will buy into it. I’m just hoping MOST people will.
Now, you did just reminded me of one thing with your post a few up. Ms. Schoff said she petitioned the Board to save Theatre artifacts and the fascade. One of the three bids for demolition is set up to do just that. During the September 1 board meeting, Tross in particular said “no” to saving anything. Apparently someone heard what Ms. Schoff had to say and made that one of the requirements for bidding out demolition. The Friends didn’t do that. The Board wasn’t listening to us. So I give credit where credit is due. Maybe if Ms. Schoff and some of her neighbors were to sit down with us and discuss their concerns and ideas for the theatre, maybe it would help us find a solution —– together —– that the Board could allow.
We’d love to have you on board, too, Dude, but you gotta do what you gotta do…
duper,
Again, I’m happy to have your support and ideas. It’s just that we’ve all been hard on one another. Let’s get past the rhetoric and try to form some sort of truce. On this board, especially, where there are preservationists who can help us with some ideas.
D
Challenger and duper,
Really, let’s turn the corner and try not to antagonize anymore. Does it really make you feel better, duper, to say these things to Challenger or anyone else? Challenger, I challenge you to be more constructive and ignore posters when they are being antagonizing. Remember the whole “sticks and stones” thing.
Since I’ve been a part of the Friends, I have asked our group not to engage on this or other sites unless they were saying something constructive. As communications director, I have been trying to communicate and answer questions posed. I feel though that sometimes I was ridiculed no matter what I said. And that was a waste of time for me. But it also helps me understand why the temperature of the discussion has risen so high. Personal attacks like the ones we’ve seen here make it personal—-not about the theatre. However, if we can get back on track and try to solve some real problems, I think that would be a great thing. Come on duper, we need to look forward from here on out.
Deb
Marisa,
All I really want to do is turn the dialog in a more positive direction. There will always be people that won’t agree with any tactic, but I think that again, if we do get the six-month stay, it will be an important time for this community. Some people never thought the board would actually go as far as they have. It has opened people’s eyes to what could actually be lost. Once it’s lost, we can’t get it back and we will have regrets. One regret I think we’d have is that we didn’t have the opportunity to come together as a community about it. The way the Village had set the ground rules around the theatre was that it asked the Foundation to come up with a plan that the board would vote on. The Foundation did that. The Foundation was focused on finding a plan that would pay for itself without raising property taxes—-the RSC plan. The Foundation never had time to go out into the community and rally support. And the village never thought that was an important step, either. The reason I think the community involvement is important is because the Theatre was a GIFT to the community. That’s another reason I think it’s wrong to bulldoze it. We, as a community, never really got a say (I know you’ll bring up the prior attempt at referendum, but supporters of it have said it was a slanted-against-the-theatre question). And again, things on all sides happened so quickly.
I know people wonder why the Friends haven’t put this to referendum. If we did, it would be non-binding. But I wonder why the Board voted against a BINDING referendum as well. If the Board thought the support WASN’T there, they wouldn’t have anything to worry about. But they voted it down, so they must realize people don’t want the building gone. That’s my opinion, anyway.
Again, I would look forward to having a productive and constructive conversation regarding the theatre, and how this gift could best serve the community it was given to.
And Marisa, I will be contacting you.
Regards,
Deb
Please don’t twist my words. What I’ve been reading on this site and the other is how you want: mixed business, retail and residential. Parking. What many people don’t understand is that that’s what the RSC plan entailed. Most people who opposed it didn’t want the condos to be 5 stories. I wasn’t an official “Friend” when the RSC plan was presented, but I liked what I heard. I was actually excited, the village was going to go in this dynamic direction.
The trouble is the details were still being refined when the board changed and Sebby did his damage. It happened so fast. And yes, I felt betrayed by my trustee. We were angry that all the hard work we’d done had been thrown in the garbage…just like that. And throwing the grant money away. I still think that was outrageous. But we’re not angry anymore. We’re more committed than ever to save this building.
I’m still very committed to the DuPage Theatre becoming an Arts and Cultural center because I believe that is how it will best serve the community. Again, it was a gift to the village. That’s why the idea for a Cultural Center was born. Cultural centers all over are doing very well. Even the trustees who oppose the DuPage say we need one. And so I stand behind that idea. But maybe some people have different ideas of what would benefit them. And it doesn’t hurt to listen. I’m open to a better idea if someone has one if it serves the needs of the community with the spirit that Big Idea intended AND saves the Theatre.
DuPageDude,
Everyone on this board and the other is angry. We need to tone it down so that we can get to a rational place and talk about the issues. The Friends want a restored theatre, plain and simple. How do we get there with all the name calling going on? LD4 may not want to go down this road, but if Marissa does and some other folks do, then it is definitely worth a try. I say we have a “town meeting” and get this all out in the open. Let people talk about what’s best for the downtown. I agree with duper supporter that Yorktown is not downtown. I was at Yorktown yesterday and it’s not smooth sailing over there either. Some businesses don’t know if their leases are going to be renewed. And because of it, they’re selling off all their inventory. Management isn’t calling them back. They can’t prepare for the holidays. They’re pretty upset. But I digress…
I live just blocks from downtown, and I’d like to be able to really use it. I work from home, am raising my kids at home and we walk around all the time. We just don’t always have a place to go. That’s one reason why this building is so important to me. It’s a destination. I don’t want to walk past a major parking garage. That’s an awful thought to me. If we need one so bad, why don’t we build it on the property where the Silos used to stand. Does everyone remember how important it was to rip those down at the taxpayers expense? How nothing happened for MANY years on that property? How one deal after another fell through? And what do we have there now? A parking lot. That’s another reason why I don’t think the Village should 1) tear down the theatre without another plan for all to see 2) use my tax dollars to do the teardown. If a developer wants the property so bad, that developer should be responsible for all the costs associated with the property—-not me, as there will be no gain for the residents. But again, I digress…
And LD4, the Rita you refer to is a very fine woman. I’m pleased to know her. Her dedication on the Historical Commission for almost 30 years shows a commitment to doing good works in the community. Your remarks are uncalled for. She doesn’t visit this site, but I would ask that you would apologize to her, and to all the other people you’ve completely disrespected. Especially with your comment about Mr. Carroll and Mr. Devitt. That was by far the worst thing I’ve seen written anywhere. I’m sure even Challenger and Marissa would agree with me on that one.
duper supporter, I see many things going on here. But continually confronting and name calling is not doing anyone any good.
Marisa, sorry if you thought I’ve been tough on you. I just wanted to call you out, and here you are. I would appreciate opening a dialog. But I don’t think we need to start off by saying “no” to any options. Maybe an Arts and Cultural Center could still work. Maybe a community center. Maybe many things—-things that would benefit all the residents of this village. That was the point of the gift in the first place. But we have to start somewhere, and I think dialing our emotions down a notch is a good thing. Then we’ll be able to come to the table and discuss things in a more positive light.
By the way, if the Village would adhere to their ordinance, their own law, and allow for the six-month stay, the suit would be over. It was their choice to break their own law. I feel it is up to us, as citizens, to make sure our elected officials uphold the laws they’re sworn to uphold. Don’t you agree? You’ve been very adamant about RSC and variances. If you ask me, it’s the same thing with the six-month ordinance…
Rita, yes, his wife quit as well, and after many long hours of hard work and service as secretary and other important roles. She has a little one at home and other priorities at this time. Mr. Devitt personally emailed me about his resignation. I don’t think I need to discuss this further. Mr. Devitt’s reputation has been battered about enough, if you ask me. If I’ve had enough of seeing him maligned, I’m sure he has as well.
Going door-to-door at the time it was mentioned was, in fact, untimely for a multitude of reasons. But I’m not going to rehash old strategy. It’s time to look forward. Again, is anyone willing to join forces?
Fellow preservationists, let’s chat about some success stories that might fit the bill for the DuPage Theatre.
Look, “Deb” Dupe…
Five years is a long time. Two ad hoc committees and the Foundation were all asked to get different information to the Village Board. Each group did what they were ASKED to do. Now the story is different. We can actually think outside the box to find a solution. So let’s try and do that. Together!
It’s easy to criticize the efforts of others when you haven’t stood in their shoes. It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and play Monday Morning Quarterback. It takes a bit more investment to actually come forward and show some dedication to a cause and try to find a way to make it work.
This is not pennance. Trying to save the theatre is nothing to be sorry for. Come on out, Dupe! Let’s have a real sit down with those concerned residents who post here and see what great things we can accomplish together!
A few months back Jim Devitt left the company of the Friends of his own accord. It was a decision he made and we accepted.
I wish that all of us on this site would take a deep breath. duper supporter, although I’m not sure if you are Mr. Devitt, I am thankful for your support. But Dupe neighbor is right that it doesn’t help to inflame this issue. We are, after all, neighbors. What I ask is that, if the judge does grant us a six-month stay—-and a precious opportunity of second chances—we could all come to the table and formulate a plan to save the theatre that maybe would compel the Village Board to take another look at the situation. Showing that opposite sides could come together and make a positive difference in the community. That other communities would look to for inspiration when they found themselves in a similar situation.
Again, let’s think about this as a proactive and constructive manner. Let’s put an end to the name calling.
Regards, Deb
Stop. This isn’t getting anywhere. This is the reason why I’ve stopped posting. I’m not going to change your mind, and Challenger, et. al, you won’t change mine.
My focus, as is the Friends focus, is still on saving the Theatre. We’ve gone to court to ask a judge to grant a six-month stay of demolition. In the meantime, we’re looking for other viable alternatives for the theatre. It’s not all or nothing, I don’t think it ever was.
If you are interested in saving the theatre, then come together with us and look at some alternatives that will save it. We were pursuing plans that we were directed to by the village before the elections. After the elections, we found ourselves in a different game. What plan could possibly make the most people happy and save the theatre for my children to enjoy—-as an important piece of village history?
Look around here. There’s not much left to save. Yes, the Main Street Chapel. Yes, Lilacia Park. Yes the 2 museums. But there are only a few other business buildings left on St. Charles and that’s it. Why can’t this building be saved? Why can’t cooler heads prevail? Why can’t we stop bickering on this site and try to have a more constructive dialog? As far as I’m concerned, we’re back at square one. The judge did not throw us out of court, which he could have done twice by now. The National Trust and Landmarks Preservation Council believes in the Friends and in our wish to save the building—-and they’ve proved it by entering our lawsuit. In six months, many positive things can happen. And our community may be allowed to heal with the building still standing.
I know that will NOT happen if that building goes down.
Think about it.
Sincerely, Deb
From today’s Chicago Tribune:
$300,000 provides a plot twist
State grant restored for DuPage Theatre
By Lyn Niemann
Special to the Tribune
Published September 30, 2005
While a judge in DuPage Circuit Court reviews whether to grant a six-month stay for the DuPage Theatre, the theater foundation received word last week that a $300,000 state grant has been reinstated through a technicality.
But although it appeared the money would be available for another year, the funding may not be available because the village already rejected it.
The Lombard Village Board formally rejected the “Save America’s Treasures” grant, along with a federal grant, on Sept. 1. But the DuPage Theatre Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to saving the theatre, said the village never had the authority to reject the state grant.
“When the Village Board took a vote to reject the funds one of the things that struck me was that they didn’t have the authority to do that since the DuPage Theatre Foundation applied for the grant,” said Martin Carroll, chairman of the DuPage Theatre Foundation.
Carroll said a representative at the U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed that and sent a letter on Sept. 21 to Village Manager William Lichter.
Carroll said the letter read: “Only the grantee, the DuPage Theatre Foundation, can request cancellation of or refuse the grant.”
“So, the money’s been reinstated,” Carroll said.
And with news this week that Gov. Rod Blagojevich is releasing $195 million in Illinois FIRST funds, of which $1 million was earmarked for the DuPage Theatre restoration, it seemed to supporters they had overcome the biggest hurdle in saving the theater.
However, the village is no longer on the list of Illinois FIRST recipients.
“All the projects on the list have executed grant agreements, and this project does not,” Andrew Ross, spokesman for the governor, said when asked if the theater’s absence on the list was because the village had previously rejected the funds.
“I think it’s tragic,” said Deb Dynako, communications director for the Friends of the DuPage Theatre, another non-profit group dedicated to saving the theater.
“It makes us infamous because no one’s ever rejected the funds before. And the rush to demolish has been quite a travesty to this whole village. That’s why pursuing the six-month stay is so important. Two weeks ago the village rejected the funds. And two weeks later, they became available.”
Village Trustee Richard Tross, a former theater supporter, is one of several trustees who think there are issues involved other than money.
“I’m not going to rehash history,” Tross said. “In five years' time, neither a viable development nor combined partnership could be found. It is tim
e that the final curtain be called.”
Copyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune
Challenger, I never said EVERYTHING we’ve ever done has been a success. I just mentioned two successes along the way, although we have had others. Obviously, we’re dealing with four men on a Board that don’t want this building standing. Look, a lot has happened since Memorial Day weekend when Sebby’s resolution came to light. There was no warning. The RSC plan was under staff review, the $15,000 was just approved for a lobbyist—-why would we suspect?
And so now, we’re the ones being demonized by you? It doesn’t make any sense. Challenger, if you’ve ever committed to anything you believed in, and you did it in good faith, how would you feel if you were, ultimately, betrayed? I feel betrayed, anyway. I know many others do as well…
The only downfall to all of this is losing a building I care about. That didn’t happen because of my actions. The blame can only be placed on those four trustees. They are the ones who took the vote. They are the ones who will demolish the building. Not me.
Challenger, I never said EVERYTHING we’ve ever done has been a success. I just mentioned two successes along the way, although we have had others. Obviously, we’re dealing with four men on a Board that don’t want this building standing. Look, a lot has happened since Memorial Day weekend when Sebby’s resolution came to light. There was no warning. The RSC plan was under staff review, the $15,000 was just approved for a lobbyist—-why would we suspect?
And so now, we’re the ones being demonized by you? It doesn’t make any sense. Challenger, if you’ve ever committed to anything you believed in, and you did it in good faith, how would you feel if you were, ultimately, betrayed? I feel betrayed, anyway. I know many others do as well…
The only downfall to all of this is losing a building I care about. That didn’t happen because of my actions. The blame can only be placed on those four trustees. They are the ones who took the vote. They are the ones who will demolish the building. Not me.
Hello, Challenger. I’m back, I told you I had been busy…
Let’s set the record straight about the signs since they keep being brought up. The Friends printed 1000 signs. The 1000 signs were mostly distributed prior to the April 27th Board Meeting. That was the 750 figure that was originally spoken of. After that meeting, more people called or email to get signs. Those were distributed. The rest of the signs were given out at the rally. We were left with empty boxes that used to hold 1000 signs. That’s one way we knew 1000 signs were delivered. The other way was that we kept a list of who wanted signs. We still have that list. End of story. If there aren’t 1000 signs still on lawns, I’m not surprised. They’ve been out since APRIL!!! There have also been stolen and vandalized signs. My own included. Some of those stolen signs turned up in a field, were collected and were redistributed. The current sign in front of my home is one of those.
Another thing. It took only 20 people at a rally in Chicago to save Cook County hospital. Since you love percentages, do the math on that one. I planned the rally. We did it in 5 days—-a feat we were told had never been pulled off. The fact that 200 people came on a hot Saturday night without much notice was INCREDIBLE! Many of the historic agencies said that our turnout was excellent, that people rarely like to show up to rallies.
The Daily Herald photographer only came at the very beginning of the rally when we were still actually setting up! Call him—-I actually spoke with him when he showed up. Not sure when you snaked through, but I personally bumped into a couple “spies” and they knew I knew who they were. One was even slyly taking pictures. I asked him who he was, and he claimed “photography student.” But he wasn’t and he knew I didn’t believe him. What photography student would be taking photos from a digital camera hanging around his neck at chest level? But I didn’t care about the fact that he was there, either! Were you one of these “undercover” operatives, Challenger? You guys were obviously worried about the turnout. And I’m sorry you feel otherwise about the signatures we gathered there. It was just over 200, and I still have them. On most of the pages we marked when and where the petitions were collected—-just so we’d have the documentation if anyone ever wanted to know. We have never operated in the shadows, Challenger. That’s what your side likes to do.
Brian, I’m sorry for the bickering. It’s not right to do on this site, and I’m sorry to all who have been offended by it. We do not engage them on their site, and so they come here.
All we are trying to do is save the building at this point. I don’t think anyone thought the Board would vote the way it has. It is sad to most people in our community. To me, this is not about a plan, personalities or who can win. This is about a building I love, that I grew up with, and that I want saved.
If the trustees were going to save any part of the main building, then they shouldn’t have rejected the Save America’s Treasures grant. Because if they kept any part of the building standing, they could have used it to restore whatever they decided to keep. But since they cut out the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and were too obtuse to allow them to negotiate out of the normal terms of the grant, the grant is now gone. If you ask me that is egotistical and petty.
Challenger, you’ve got a strange fascination with numbers—-and so far all of them are wrong.
Now, I’ll be signing off for a few days. But I’ll miss ya when I’m gone…
DebDupe, I think you finally outed yourself. You sound just like Marisa Schoff who got her letter to the editor printed in our local “tabloid.” You spout nothing but angry loathing. Name calling? You guys are the best at it. And it actually sounds like you want the building saved, you just don’t like the people trying to save it.
I am not on a high horse. And I repeat that the only people to be blamed for the wrecking ball are the four trustees—-Sebby, Tross, O'Brien and Soderstrom who voted in favor of it. Tross wants absolutely nothing saved. Now that’s a HIGH HORSE!
Who’s “crying and whining?” We want the theatre. We get up and speak on the theatre’s behalf every meeting. We’ve shown that we are dedicated to the cause of preserving this building. It takes a lot of time, effort and character to stand up for what you believe in. What have you done besides hide behind your alias and snipe on this and your own website?
If the theatre is yours, and I agree that it is, then you should want it saved, for anything else that goes in its place will not be yours—-unless the library referendum passes, a snowballs chance in the down-below.
I don’t go to your other site “often.” I don’t have that kind of time to waste. I just wanted to know if anything you say here reflects what you say there. And it doesn’t. It would be interesting if you proposed your new “plan” on that site and see the reaction you got from your fellow “bloodlusters.” Nothing said on that site has ever been nice with regards to the theatre. And so my dear, Challenger, hang up your half-witted prose on this site, and go back to the folks who are so proud of you.
:)
The date with the wrecking ball had nothing to do with the work of the Friends and everything to do with Steve Sebby’s resolution to demolish, followed by Dick Tross, “Jack” O'Brien and Rick Soderstrom’s vote to carry out the travesity.
Challenger, I’ve just read your other site, and there you’re not the guy you’re portraying yourself to be on this site. You ARE gloating. My impression of you now is that you’re the type of guy who loves blood sport, but then shows a tinge of remorse when someone actually dies. “Oh, that’s too bad. He should have blocked that sucker punch…”
Challenger,
You still make me giggle with your “knowledge” of the “facts.”
Why don’t you head the new team to save the DuPage. You and your buddy Biddle! He has Sebby’s ear. Maybe he can reason with him. There are four other historic buildings in this town slated to be demolished, maybe you can help him have a change of heart on those, too.
You say you don’t want to show yourself in public for “fear” of getting “trashed.” Look at all the nefarious things you’ve said about people who have in good faith, tried to save this building? The Friends took the direction the Village prescribed and did what they were asked. And when those criteria were met, the goalposts were moved back. It’s not that we’re a bad team, it’s just that we’ve been playing on unlevel ground. I take your words against our efforts as an affront to preservation of this building. And, your donation of buying a glass of lemonade so long ago does NOT make you a supporter.
Egotists? Not me nor mine. Again, it’s so easy to snipe at people from behind aliases. At least Bob DiFino stood up (although I don’t agree with his statistics—-using 44,000 as a population number but saying kids didn’t have the right to sign the petition!) Be a man and make your recommendations to the board this Thursday for all to see!
BTW, I haven’t made any threats against anyone. Or name called—-although, you HAVE! :) If your political representative is not doing the job you’d like him to do, you find a replacement (we just saw this happen with the FEMA director). People in politics know that if they don’t do the people’s will, there will be repercussions. That’s a political reality, not a threat. If the trustees that made the demolition vote think that that was a good move politically, then I guess we’ll just have to see what happens in the next election.
Please Challenger, you’re not really involved in this process, so since you’ve “won” why don’t you stop haunting this site and go back to your own.
Best wishes on new “challenges”, Challenger.
~Deb
My Dear Challenger,
Been too busy to squak at you, but see you’re still enjoying yourself on this site. Melders has been holding to my position quite well, thank you. As are all the other preservationists on this site. But just as it doesn’t pay to speak to the four trustees—-using nice words or calling them out on the mistruths they’ve spun for public consumption—-it wastes my time jousting with you. If a public official gets a bit hot for hearing the truth from one of his constituents, yes me, then he shouldn’t hold the seat. The decision these four trustees have made is one that they should be ashamed of. But they’re not. They threw a lot of money away, but they don’t care. They blacklisted the town of Lombard, and made many residents angry. Wait until they see what a bulldozer does to their political careers…
Now Challenger, you may have to fill your day with negative postings. But I don’t. Got more important stuff to do right now.
Thanks for your concern on this issue.
Sincerely, Deb Dynako
My Dear Challenger,
Been too busy to squak at you, but see you’re still enjoying yourself on this site. Melders has been holding to my position quite well, thank you. As are all the other preservationists on this site. But just as it doesn’t pay to speak to the four trustees—-using nice words or calling them out on the mistruths they’ve spun for public consumption—-it wastes my time jousting with you. If a public official gets a bit hot for hearing the truth from one of his constituents, yes me, then he shouldn’t hold the seat. The decision these four trustees have made is one that they should be ashamed of. But they’re not. They threw a lot of money away, but they don’t care. They blacklisted the town of Lombard, and made many residents angry. Wait until they see what a bulldozer does to their political careers…
Now Challenger, you may have to fill your day with negative postings. But I don’t. Got more important stuff to do right now.
Thanks for your concern on this issue.
Sincerely, Deb Dynako
DuPage Dude, contact me at and we can talk off board if you’d like.
Challenger, nothing you’ve ever said has been truthful as far as I can tell. You have no credibility on this board. It’s easy to throw mud all day long when you’re standing in the shadows.
Challenger,
We know one thing is for sure…YOU won’t be speaking publicly! :)
Challenger,
Your source continues to be one of bad info. We didn’t have it removed.